April 9, 2020 (Ottawa) In an effort to bolster support for Canadian families in need, 18 national and regional industry associations and partners came together today to donate a total of $36,000 to the Ottawa Food Bank, Food Banks Canada, and to food banks across the country – and they have challenged other industry groups to do the same.
“The initiative spearheaded by the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC), Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), and the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), also encourages participation from association staff members who have the means to support,” said MAC President and CEO Pierre Gratton.
“It all started with a Sunday afternoon thought and an email to Bob at CIAC and Derek at FPAC,” said Gratton. “They thought it was a great idea and by Sunday night we had over a dozen supporters on board,” he added.
“This is such a difficult time for so many families in Ottawa and across the country. We are all trying to find the most meaningful ways to pitch in and help,” said CIAC President and CEO Bob Masterson. “We know that the Ottawa Food Bank, Food Banks Canada, and local food banks are trusted partners and can put these funds to use right away to help families in our communities,” Masterson added.
In addition to CIAC, FPAC, and MAC, the initiative has received support from:
“We thank our partners across so many different industries for their support,” said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor. “We stand together to challenge all industry groups based in Ottawa and those across the country to join us in donating to the Ottawa Food Bank, Food Banks Canada, or a local food bank or charity that is providing frontline support to families in need,” Nighbor added.
To make a donation to support the Ottawa Food Bank, please visit www.ottawafoodbank.ca.
To make a donation in support of a food bank near you, please visit: http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/.
-30-
Quotes from Supporters:
“We are all in this together,” said Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of Business Council of Canada.“The more we support one another during this challenging time, the faster and stronger we will come out of this together.”
“In times of uncertainty, it’s important we all come together and give back to the communities in which we live and work,” said Tim McMillan, President and CEO of Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. “As a member of the Ottawa community for several years, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers welcomes the opportunity to be a part of this initiative and appreciates the efforts of the Ottawa Food Bank to help families in need.”
“Just as REALTORS® across the country are proud members of their local communities,” saidMichael Bourque, CEO of the Canadian Real Estate Association, “Ottawa-based national industry associations stand together to help the Ottawa Food Bank in its time of great need.”
“Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak the Ottawa Food Bank distributed 14 tons of food daily and over the past few weeks that need has increased,” said Garth Whyte, President and CEO of Fertilizer Canada. “Now is the time to support our local community. We recognize that this pandemic period is particularly challenging for some and contributions such as this one are needed to make a difference.”
Quote from the Ottawa Food Bank:
“This generous support will be a great help to us as we continue to work hard to provide increased quantities of supplies to our food program partners and the community,” says Michael Maidment, CEO, Ottawa Food Bank.“Thank you very much for thinking of us and food banks across Canada at this time of such uncertainty.”
For more information, contact:
Kerry Patterson-Baker
Vice President, Communications
Forest Products Association of Canada
e : kpatterson-baker@fpac.ca
t : 613-563-1441 x 314 or (613) 716-7500 (cell)
Cynthia Waldmeier
Director of Communications
The Mining Association of Canada
e : cwaldmeier@mining.ca
t : 613-233-9392 x225 or 613-894-2128 (cell)
Devon Babin
Communications Manager
Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
e : dbabin@canadianchemistry.ca
t: 613-237-6215 x 225 or 613-620-3386 (cell)
The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is a bi-national association that represents diverse marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as Canadian domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber advocates for safe, sustainable, harmonized and competitive policy and regulation that recognizes the marine transportation system's significant advantages in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Coastal and Arctic regions.
Media Contact:
Jason Card
Chamber of Marine Commerce
jcard@cmc-ccm.com
(613) 447 5401